California Cadet Corps Curriculum on Character Development Ethical Leadership
Character Agenda • C1. What Ethics Is and Is Not • C2. Ethical Dilemmas • C3. Ethical Decision-Making
WHAT ETHICS IS AND IS NOT C1. Discuss problems with defining ethics. Select the best definition of ethics.
Problems with Defining Ethics • Does being ethical mean you: – Follow the law? – Follow your feelings of right and wrong? – Be true to yourself? – Do what parents, teachers or other authority figures tell you to do? – Follow your religious beliefs? – Ensure your actions agree with society?
Problems with Defining Ethics • All these questions are good • But each one has fatal flaw inherent in them • There’s no stand -alone definition of ethics
Problems with Defining Ethics Why is following the law not necessarily going to guarantee ethical behavior? • Laws provide starting point for ethical behavior, but often limited to societal conventions Example Slavery, discrimination, environmental destruction, & many other unethical behaviors were legal in the U.S. at one time
Problems with Defining Ethics • Even today, many laws don’t enforce ethical behavior • In many situations it’s not illegal to lie Some exceptions: - Public official making an official statement - Testifying in court - Libel • However, few people would say a lie is ethical
Problems with Defining Ethics Why is following your feelings, or being true to yourself, not necessarily going to guarantee ethical behavior? • Following our feelings often gets us in trouble – But it wasn’t always so obvious
Problems with Defining Ethics • Hedonism was early philosophical movement – Sought to maximize pleasure & minimize pain – Sounds good until you realize your pleasure can cause someone else’s pain • Taking ethically correct road is often at odds with our feelings
Problems with Defining Ethics Why is doing what authority figures tell you to do not necessarily going to guarantee ethical behavior? • Parents, teachers, supervisors, & leaders – Want what’s best for you – Usually provide ethical guidance • Sometimes fail in their role and give unethical guidance Examples: • Military members who commit unethical acts while “following orders” • Business, corporate, & public service leaders who demonstrate unethical behaviors
Problems with Defining Ethics President Nixon’s Resignation Letter:
Problems with Defining Ethics • Why is religion not always a good answer for ensuring ethical behavior?
Problems with Defining Ethics • Religion teaches moral & ethical behaviors • Religions provide intense motivation for ethical behavior – Not everyone holds religious beliefs • Ethical behaviors should equally be expected of people of faith & those who don’t practice religion • Some religions’ ethical beliefs can be at odds with other religious or societal beliefs.
Problems with Defining Ethics Why is acting in concert with society not always going to ensure ethical actions?
Problems with Defining Ethics • Society can become corrupted, like Nazi Germany in World War II – When a society becomes corrupted it can: • Act outside of the bounds of ethical actions • Commit some of the world’s greatest atrocities
Problems with Defining Ethics • Society is often “undecided” on many issues that have ethical components Examples: • Abortion • Immigration • Euthanasia • Possible fast track to unethical actions: – “Outsourcing” ethical responsibility to society – Making decisions based on majority opinions
Problems with Defining Ethics Ethics can be defined as two things*: First : – Standards of right & wrong that advise what humans should do • Refrain from rape, stealing, murder assault, slander, fraud • Be honest, compassionate, and loyal – Standards relating to human rights • Right to life, freedom from injury, and privacy *From “What is Ethics?” article by Valasquez, Andre, Shanks, S.J., and Meyer appearing in Issues in Ethics IIE V1 N1
Problems with Defining Ethics Ethics can be defined as two things* (cont’d): Second : – The study and development of one's ethical standards • Necessary to constantly examine standards to ensure they’re reasonable & well-founded • Continuous effort of studying own moral beliefs & moral conduct • Strive to ensure that we, and the things we influence, live up to standards that are reasonable and solidly based *From “What is Ethics?” article by Valasquez, Andre, Shanks, S.J., and Meyer appearing in Issues in Ethics IIE V1 N1
Check on Learning 1. T / F: Relying on what an authority figure tells you guarantees ethical behavior 2. T / F: The study and development of one's ethical standards includes continuously studying your own moral beliefs & moral conduct 3. Why is following the law not necessarily going to guarantee ethical behavior? 4. Define “Ethics”
ETHICAL DILEMMAS C2. Describe ethical dilemmas.
Ethical Dilemmas Ethics in America Annenberg Learner Video Series (Columbia University Seminars on Media and Society, 2017) • These videos: – Use the Socratic Method to build analytical skills and examine ethical questions – Aim to sharpen moral reasoning without favoring a particular position by exploring ethical dilemmas in legal, political, medical, corporate, and military arenas
Ethical Dilemmas “The Socratic method …is a form of cooperative argumentative dialogue between individuals, based on asking and answering questions to stimulate critical thinking and to draw out ideas and underlying presumptions.” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 2017
Ethical Dilemmas High School Level
1. Do Unto Others Must we house the homeless or report a child abuser? http://www.learner.org/vod/vod_window.html?pid=191
2. To Defend a Killer What rights do the guilty have? http://www.learner.org/vod/vod_window.html?pid=192
3. Public Trust, Private Interests The problems of trust within government, between one public official and another, and between the government and the public. http://www.learner.org/vod/vod_window.html?pid=193
4. Does Doctor Know Best? Should you save the mother at the risk of losing the baby? http://www.learner.org/vod/vod_window.html?pid=194
5. Anatomy of a Hostile Takeover Merger mania presents an alarming array of ethical problems. http://www.learner.org/vod/vod_window.html?pid=195
6. Under Orders, Under Fire (Part I) How do we wage war when the enemy dresses as civilians and children throw bombs? The question of the duty to follow orders and a commander's obligation to protect soldiers is discussed. http://www.learner.org/vod/vod_window.html?pid=196
7. Under Orders, Under Fire (Part II) The carnage of My Lai raises the issue of confidentiality between the soldier, his religious confessor, and military justice. The clash between military tribunals and the right of confidentiality is debated. http://www.learner.org/vod/vod_window.html?pid=197
8. Truth on Trial Is an attorney's first obligation to the court, the client, or the public? http://www.learner.org/vod/vod_window.html?pid=198
9. The Human Experiment Does finding a cure justify putting test subjects at risk? http://www.learner.org/vod/vod_window.html?pid=199
10. Politics, Privacy, and the Press What conduct on the part of a public official is relevant to “the public's right to know?” http://www.learner.org/vod/vod_window.html?pid=200
Ethical Dilemmas Middle School Level
1. Three Farewells: Medicine and the End of Life • How should the parents decide what is best for their newborn baby who suffered severe brain damage? • Should an Alzheimer's patient’s wish to forego all medical treatment be honored, even though she may no longer understand — or agree — with the statements she made when she was competent? • If a pancreatic cancer patient is terminally ill, should she be able to take medications to aid her in dying? http://www.learner.org/vod/vod_window.html?pid=2245
2. War Stories: National Security & the News Reporters are faced with dilemmas that go to the heart of their responsibilities as journalists and as Americans http://www.learner.org/vod/vod_window.html?pid=2246
3. My Brother’s Keeper Individuals struggle with college applications, promotions at work, and the actions of their neighbors ➢ Important values about questions of fairness, loyalty, secrets, and trust conflict are addressed http://www.learner.org/vod/vod_window.html?pid=2247
4. Choosing Justice: Elections and Judicial Independence A state Supreme Court candidate wonders: • What is expected regarding fundraising and political advertising? • What might the implications be for ethical integrity? http://www.learner.org/vod/vod_window.html?pid=2248
5. A Better Brain: The Ethics of Neuro-Enhancement Is using performance enhancing drugs cheating? And are people possibly endangering themselves by doing so? http://www.learner.org/vod/vod_window.html?pid=2249
6. Risk, Reward, Responsibility: Ethics in Business Panelists struggle to make sound business decisions while observing ethical obligations in the changing global economy. http://www.learner.org/vod/vod_window.html?pid=2250
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